With inputs from ICC Press Release

Ireland cricket vice-captain Orla Prendergast was awarded the Player of the Month for August, she won the award ahead of Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali and the Netherlands’ seam bowler Iris Zwilling.

Prendergast was named the Player of the Series against Pakistan helping Ireland secure a historic 2-1 victory in the home T20I series. The star all-rounder amassed 144 runs and bagged four wickets in three-match T20I series. Subsequently, she carried her fine form to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, aggregating 244 runs and finishing with seven wickets in the month of August, playing a crucial role in Ireland winning all their six matches.

“I’m delighted to have received this award and would like to extend my thanks to the ICC and anyone who voted for me. I’d also like to acknowledge my teammates and our support staff who have worked hard all summer to come away with some important series wins,” Prendergast was quoted as saying in the ICC press release.

“The T20I series win against Pakistan was the highlight of the summer. Additionally, we had a brilliant series win against Zimbabwe and completed a clean sweep at the European T20 Qualifiers. We’ll be looking to build on these performances into our winter series and the Global T20 qualifiers in January.”

“Personally, though, this award means a lot and further validates the decision I made 5 years ago to pursue cricket as a career. When I was growing up, that wasn't an option. But today, a young girl is able to see women's cricket being played live on TV or online.

“Visibility is so important in growing interest and participation in the sport, and equally, awards like this help one to reinforce that growing status of the women's game globally. So, I'd like to thank the ICC for continuing to back women's cricket and raise the profile of women cricketers around the world.”